This book concludes the duology as well as my time with reading Hope Larson graphic novels. I likely will not pick up more for the reasons I have expressed in previous recent reviews. This book concludes the mystery/adventure started and alluded to briefly in the first book. However, even though Larson lays the groundwork for the events of this book in the first, this installment felt completely unnecessary. It
also read like an almost completely different genre than the first. If I had not found a copy in the book room at my school, I likely would not have picked it up. Despite what my descriptions thus far may sound like, this is not a bad book; I just see plenty of missing pieces. If read as separate from the first book, it makes for a fun adventure story. For that reason, I will include it on my classroom shelves.
Although when the original novels first came out, I was part of the target demographic, I never felt myself drawn to the series. Quite frankly, those original covers are quite off-putting and a bit disturbing. Prior to reading this adaptation, I gained some familiarity through watching Gavin’s (from Gavin Reads It All) vlog reading the complete series. I brought that casual familiarity to this read and found myself impressed with the
adaptation. This first novel has strength in its plot and as a series starter by setting up a compelling macro-plot and by creating several characters with depth waiting to be explored in future installments. I will definitely add this to my classroom shelves.
This book was adorable. I really like how this group of authors came together to tell a series of short stories that introduced the reader to this group of children who use their imagination – as well as a lot of cardboard – to express themselves and create a wholesome group dynamic. The kids in this graphic novel spend the summer reenacting various fairy tales or movies as well as creating their own characters who all interact in a fictional
kingdom. This graphic novel and its sequel – which I will review next – will definitely have a place on my classroom shelves.
The sequel takes place once school has started back up again and all of the characters no longer have seemingly unlimited time to play. They all still share the bond form the summer though, so when Halloween approaches, it’s time to get the costumes back out. Unlike the first book, the second installment has an overarching plot although the several authors still come
together to tell this plot in episodic style. The driving conflict allows for further exploration of several of the characters, developing them beautifully. I hope that the subsequent books in the series – which I fully intend to read – give the other characters the same sort of treatment. I highly recommend this series so far.
Unlike Animorphs, I consumed nearly every installment of this 90s era series that I could get my hands on. I wanted a separate phone line like Claudia and a group of friends like the club. Telgemeier did a fantastic job adapting this book to a graphic novel, obviously. I appreciate the fact that she did not attempt to modernize the series as part of the adaptation. It’s hard to review this book (and the other two – #3 and #5 – that I found in
the book room at school) without nostalgia colored glasses but I think that middle schools would still be interested. Obviously, I plan to put all three that I will review on my classroom shelves.
I do not have much new to say about this installment specifically. Please refer to my review of book one in the series for a little more detail. I do remember noticing just how much the members of this club fight and wondering about that a little until I thought back on my observations of my students who would fight and make up with their friends quite often over the course of a school year thus making the conflicts in the story quite realistic.
